Predictably, health services covering the Brisbane region have collectively recorded the most flu-linked deaths in 2019 with 29 - 17 in Metro North and 12 in Metro South - accounting for the biggest population areas.

Sunshine Coast has had 10 flu-associated fatalities this year, followed by Townsville with seven, West Moreton five, Wide Bay four, Gold Coast and central Queensland three each and Cairns two.

The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Mackay and Darling Downs have recorded one death each.

"We think that in a bad year, 3000 or 4000 Australians die of the flu, including about 20 children," he said.

"About 90 per cent of the deaths occur in old people. Flu produces a worsening of their heart disease and other conditions. They may end up getting the flu, having a heart attack and passing away. No-one will take a swab."

The latest figures show more than 29,000 laboratory-confirmed flu cases in Queensland so far this year - almost five times the average for the past five years.

"It's clearly the worst season on record up to this period in time," Professor Van Buynder said. "My message is, if anyone hasn't got around to it, go and get vaccinated."

If the number of cases continue at the same rate, Queensland's on track for its worst flu season on record - overtaking 2017 when 56,591 people were diagnosed with the virus in the state.

Queensland Health data shows 1679 people have been admitted to public hospitals with the flu in 2019, 165 of them requiring intensive care. That's 2.3 times the average number of flu-related hospital admissions during the past five years.

Influenza-associated deaths in Queensland by Hospital and Health Service between January 1, 2018, and July 17, 2019